While Marshall had been interested in playing under Craig Bellamy in a team featuring Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, the deal with the Storm was only for the remainder of the season.

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Both St George Illawarra and Cronulla have proposed two-and-a-half year deals and Marshall was understood to be mulling over his decision on Thursday night.

With former Tigers teammates Andrew Fifita, Chris Heighington, Beau Ryan, Bryce Gibbs and Blake Ayshford at Cronulla, along with ex-chief executive Steve Noyce, who was in charge of the joint venture when Marshall began his career in 2003, the Sharks have been favourites to sign him since Fairfax Media revealed 10 days ago he was quitting the Auckland Blues to return to the NRL.

However, the Dragons also hold appeal and his signing would complete an all-star backline that includes England five-eighth Gareth Widdop, New Zealand Test backs Jason Nightingale and Gerard Beale, Australian winger Brett Morris, NSW Origin fullback Josh Dugan and Indigenous All Stars centre Dylan Farrell.

Marshall also has close friends in Wollongong and he drove there to spend the night after flying into Sydney last Thursday afternoon for a weekend visit to consult manager Martin Tauber and begin sorting through his options.

Besides St George Illawarra, Cronulla and Melbourne, the Cowboys and Parramatta also expressed interest in the 29-year-old but Fairfax Media was told he had ruled out all but the Sharks and Storm before returning to Auckland.

However, the Dragons re-emerged as a serious option mid-week and Marshall is understood to have met Price on Wednesday - but not at St George Leagues Club as was being reported on social media.

Before his return to Sydney on Wednesday, Marshall and wife Zoe managed to sell the house they had purchased in Auckland just six weeks ago after being approached by neighbours following the announcement he was returning to the NRL.

Zoe, who had television and radio work in Auckland, will follow Marshall to Sydney next week.

If he signs with St George Illawarra, Marshall's first game could be as soon as next Sunday against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.

With the Mothers Day clash being a Dragons home game, the club could cash in as Marshall's presence would be sure to attract a lot of interest.

The Sharks play the Eels at Parramatta Stadium the following night, and then host Wests Tigers the following weekend in a match guaranteed to draw a big crowd if he played.

The Tigers are seeking compensation from whichever club signs Marshall as there was a clause in his deed of release at the end of last season in which he agreed not to play for anyone else in the NRL before 2016.

Salford and Catalans Dragons also expressed interest in Marshall but he did not want to play in Super League.

24 comments so far

Benji, go to the Dragons! Great club with loads of tradition, good grounds, good coaching staff and fanatical fans. Sharks still under the ASADA gun unfortunately. And I say that as a Wests Tigers fan. Be great to see you back on the field again. I'm just sorry it isn't with us!

Commenter

curaeus

Date and time

May 01, 2014, 10:07PM

The St George Illawarra Dragons have a long standing tradition... about 15 years.

Commenter

Growler

Location

The Couch

Date and time

May 02, 2014, 1:57PM

Oh great, the Dragons need 3-4 sizable forwards who can tackle and hold the centre of the field defense together to make up for their pygmy pack not another dud half well past his prime. Henry, Drinkwater, Seizer, Williams, Witt and now Marshall. Please Dragon fans have had enough of this amateur recruitment nonsense. There is a good reason Marshall was forced out of the Tigers and the Blues - he's past it.

Commenter

Disillusioned

Date and time

May 01, 2014, 10:17PM

SMH, do yourself a favour and get a template going where you can just insert a players name. Its the same old story that the dragons are interested in signing a player. Every player uses them to drive up their price. I remember when you blokes linked El Masri with the dragons. Come on. Same story for decades!

Commenter

Sunil

Location

Sydney

Date and time

May 02, 2014, 3:59AM

Quite ironic that Benji may join former Tiger teammates at the Sharks. The same players who were forced out to pay his hefty wage.

Commenter

Spike

Date and time

May 02, 2014, 4:30AM

Sharkies are a bunch of boofheads and duds , fifita and Ryan two biggest headed overrated nobodies in the NRL. Fire up Benji! Don't waste your time in the shire. The Red V are building towards something in next couple of years. Sheensie would also have to be a good bet to replace Price at seasons end at the red V and it could be a Herculean reunion with Marshall.

Commenter

Milton

Date and time

May 02, 2014, 6:25AM

building a wooden spoon?

Commenter

TC

Date and time

May 02, 2014, 11:11AM

Well that would give the Dragons a boost. I imagine Benji would slot in at half. Both Dragons and Sharks have star five-eighths and I can't imagine either Widdop or Carney having to step aside to make room for Marshall.

Commenter

stevek

Location

Sydney

Date and time

May 02, 2014, 6:26AM

Benji is a better 5/8 than 1/2, so Widdop might go to 1/2. But who knows, Price might put in the front row given how clueless he is!